City asks Madonna if it can borrow lost painting

The politician of Amiens, bluish France, has asked Madonna if the metropolis tin get a coating antecedently believed to person been destroyed.

The artwork - Diana and Endymion by Jérôme-Martin Langlois - was exhibited from 1878 but went missing during World War One.

Mayor Brigitte Fouré present believes the renowned US popular prima owns it.

She said displaying the artwork would assistance the city's bid to go the 2028 European Capital of Culture.

Diana and Endymion was commissioned by King Louis XVIII of France for a country successful the Palace of Versailles and was bought by France successful 1873.

Ms Fouré said the coating was apt loaned to the Amiens depository by the Louvre successful Paris earlier the warfare began.

French insubstantial Le Figaro reported that the painting - oregon 1 that was astir identical - was bought successful a New York auction successful 1989 by nary different than Madonna herself for £1m ($1.3m)

"I would similar it if connected this juncture you could lend america your coating truthful locals tin rediscover this enactment and bask it," Ms Fouré said successful a video posted to Facebook.

She added determination was nary proposition it had been obtained illegally.

Madonna has conscionable announced a satellite circuit which volition see a show successful Paris, which is little than 2 hours by bid from Amiens, this November.

The BBC has contacted Madonna's cause for comment.